Concrete block, in particular for paving a petrol station or the like

ABSTRACT

A concrete block, especially for forming a shoulder in a paved surface, a pavement, etc., having a support surface which is shaped in the form of a ramp and a cross-sectional contour which is provided with an upper surface region, which is at least approximately horizontal, a middle surface region with an inclined shape (S) forming the ramp, an at least approximately horizontal lower surface region and with a liquid-guiding gutter. The upper and lower surface regions of the concrete block have a surface depression proximate adjoining side surfaces and adjacent respective apical surface regions which are adjacent to the central surface region.

The invention relates to a concrete block, particularly for a pavedsurface, laid in a compound manner in the region of a gas station or thelike

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known blocks of this type (U.S. Pat. No. 775,791) are constructed asgutters, which have a ramp profiling and the useful surface of whichchanges over from an upper surface region, by way of a central obliqueregion, into a lower surface region in the form of a liquid-guidinggutter, so that the latter, in the installed position of the gutter,takes up a surface liquid, entering from the adjoining areas, such as anadjoining roadway, paved surface or the like. Such gutter blocks areintended to be installed only in a position, in which they areessentially parallel to the roadway and are placed, for example, at theedges of the roadway or the like. Moreover, when subjected to stressestransversely to the laying direction, the blocks, in the upper surfaceregion with the ramp profile, form an obstacle, so that these blockstend to break off unintentionally and, with that, the liquid-guidinggutter is not suitable for liquid-tight systems. Furthermore, there arepoint-like contacting and resting regions on such gutter blocks, so thatthe block can be shifted out of its installed position by tiltingmoments and the long-term stability and joint tightness, even to anadjacent useful surface, are disadvantageously affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a concrete block having aramp profile shape which offers improved protection to side edge regionsagainst overloading and enables surface forces to be absorbed largelywithout a tilting moment and with which, when the block placed in acompound paved surface, provides reliable imperviousness against seepagein the region of sealed joints 23 which are filled with a sealant, andthe block being further provided with a liquid-guiding gutter, whichbrings about reliable drainage of the surface.

The concrete block of the present invention has in a region of rampprofile with elevations, forming apical surface regions, and withprofile radii, which adjoin these regions, the concrete block,constructed pursuant to the invention, has a support surface, which actsin an installed position as roll profiling for vehicles. In an upperregion of side surfaces of the block, this roll profiling is combinedwith surface depressions, which provide edge protection, in such amanner, that the concrete block, in the position in which it is laid,offers edge regions, which are positioned optimally with respect toloads such that vehicles can drive over the support surface in anyrolling direction.

In a construction as double ramp block, the concrete block has an upperapical surface region, starting from which roll profiling extendssymmetrically to a central longitudinal plane up to the surfacedepressions at the edge, so that the block, with these radial shapesintegrated into the support surface, as a whole, offers no sharp-edgedtransition zones whatsoever in the region of its surface and can absorbeven horizontally acting shear forces, for example, of street-sweepingmachines, snow plows, braking stresses or the like, with littleresistance or distribute the forces over large supporting surface areasin such a manner that, with impact-free rolling characteristics, damageto the block is avoided.

In a construction as gutter block, the latter forms a centralliquid-guiding gutter between adjacent lower surface depressions. Inaddition, a groove-shaped, longitudinally directed collecting gutter canbe formed in such a manner in this central liquid-guiding gutter that,even when the gutter blocks, which are arranged in rows in the installedposition, are shifted slightly, liquid entering the gutter blocks isguided into the collecting gutter in such a manner, that backup ofliquid is avoided and, with that, an unintentional distribution ofsurface water or similar liquids, for example, by vehicles rolling overthe gutter block in the longitudinal or transverse direction, isavoided. The liquid-guiding gutters, with the integrated collectinggutters, are advantageously disposed in such a manner in the position,in which the blocks are arranged in rows that, particularly in the areaof gas station passageways or the like, on traffic areas, which are tobe protected against unintentional seepage, even small amounts ofsurface water and other contaminations are guided on an advantageouslyshort and, through the collecting gutter, rapidly effective flow path toa drainage part, where they can be disposed of without contaminating thesoil. The surrounding paved surface is drained rapidly without sites ofresidual liquid, so that a useable driving surface is formed, which isnot dangerous even under rough operating conditions and can be drivenover in any direction, longitudinally and transversely, even in theregion of the gutter blocks.

Further details and advantages of the invention arise out of thefollowing description and the drawings, which illustrate severalexamples of the inventive concrete blocks.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a liquid-tight pavedsurface with an edge enclosure, placed in the area of a gas station,

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of the paving in the area ofthe edge enclosure along a line II—II in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation similar to that of FIG. 2along the line III—III in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective sectional representation in a corner regionof the paving of FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow IV,

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged sectional representation of a concrete block,forming an edge enclosure, in an inventive construction along a line V—Vin FIG. 4,

FIGS. 6 to 9 show sectional representations of the concrete block ofFIG. 5 in an embodiment with an inlet box along a line VI—VI in FIG. 4,

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the concrete block, constructed with theinlet box, with several liquid-guiding gutters constructed as inletgrooves,

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a concrete element, similar to FIG. 10, inan installed position in a driving area, surrounded by concrete mixed onsite,

FIGS. 12 to 14 show diagrammatic representations of the concrete blockin a side view in the direction of arrow XIII of FIG. 4,

FIG. 15 shows a diagrammatic representation of a liquid-tight pavedsurface with several double ramp-shaped gutter blocks,

FIGS. 16 and 17 show perspective detailed representations of one of thegutter blocks with different dimensions,

FIG. 18 shows a plan view of the gutter block of FIG. 15,

FIG. 19 shows a side view of the gutter block of FIG. 18,

FIG. 20 shows an enlarged sectional representation of the gutter blockof FIG. 18 in a corner region,

FIG. 21 shows a sectional representation along a line VII—VII in FIG.20,

FIG. 22 shows an enlarged sectional representation of the gutter blockof FIG. 19,

FIGS. 23 to 28 show plan views of gutter blocks having differentperipheral contours,

FIGS. 29 to 32 show examples of laying gutter blocks, which are intendedto be a kit,

FIG. 33 shows a perspective view of the gutter block in an embodimentwith an inlet box,

FIG. 34 shows a plan view of an example of a driving area with concreteblocks,

FIG. 35 shows a perspective detailed representation of a concrete block,constructed as a double ramp block, as part of the kit,

FIGS. 36 and 37 show perspective representations of the ramp block withan additional horizontal surface region in its support surface,

FIGS. 38 to 40 show perspective detailed representations of ramp blocksof the kit with different profilings as supplementary shape,

FIGS. 41 to 44 show side views of the ramp blocks, similar to those ofFIGS. 19 and 22, with a modified roll profiling in the region of theliquid-guiding gutter and

FIGS. 45 to 47 show side views of the ramp block, similar to those ofFIGS. 12 to 14, in the installed position.

In all of the subsequent examples and Figures, the same referencenumbers have been used for identical or similar parts, the latter notbeing described in detail once again in each case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a paved surface with hexagonal blocks 2, which islabeled 1 as a whole, is shown in plan view. At its outer periphery, thepaved surface 1 is provided with an edge enclosure 3. This edgeenclosure 3 is formed essentially by cuboid concrete blocks 4 as shownin FIGS. 2 to 4, which are provided in the nature of ramp blocks with acontoured support surface 5, which in turn, in the laid position shown,forms a height difference H with respect to the hexagonal blocks 2 asshown in FIG. 2. Moreover, the whole of the region of the paved surface1 shown in FIG. 1 is enclosed at the periphery with the ramp profileblocks 4 and surface liquid is prevented from leaving the area of thepaved surface 1. In an advantageous embodiment, concrete blocks 4′ areprovided in corner regions of the edge enclosure and provided with aninlet box 7 as shown in FIG. 3 and, with that, a controlled discharge ofsurface liquid into a sewage system 8 is made possible.

Referring to FIG. 5, in a known adaptation, the ramp profile of thesupport surface 5 has an upper surface region 10, a central surfaceregion 11 with an inclined shape S forming the ramp and a lower surfacearea 12.

The present invention provides a configuration wherein the concreteblock 4 is provided with a cross-sectional contour which, in regions ofthe upper surface 10 and the lower surface area 12, is shaped to provideedge protection at side surfaces 16 and 17 in such a manner, that atdepressed portions of the support surface having regions contoureddifferently in cross section, a load-protected transition zone toadjoining parts of the driving area is created.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, the concrete block 4, in the central surfacearea 11, is constructed with an arc contour 13 with a radius 13′ whichfollows the inclined shape S and is convex in cross section and, at oneend, towards the upper surface region 10, forms an upper contour apex Kelevated a height 19 above an upper depressed portion 10 a which extendssubstantially horizontally. At the other end of the central surfaceregion 11 is a transition region to the lower surface area 12 whereinthe radial arc contour has a point of inflection W, starting from whichthe profiled shape changes to a concave surface area 12′ and then to aconvex profiled shape region P with a radius P′ and a height U above alower depressed portion 12 a which extends substantially horizontally.This profiled shape region P protrudes from the lower surface area 12.With this profiled shaping, this region of the support surface 5,together with the surface 12′, forms a liquid-guiding gutter, whichextends parallel to the two side surfaces 16, 17 on the support surface5.

With the above described cross-sectional configuration, an exceptionallyeffective roll profiling is furthermore created on the concrete block 4,4′. With this roll profiling, an optimum rolling process for a wheel 14of a vehicle, which is illustrated diagrammatically by a broken line inFIG. 5, is attained in such a manner, that compressive forces areintroduced in the center part of the block at a distance from the joint23, that tilting stress on the block is minimized and that, due to thearched contour of the support surface 5, a vibration-free movement ofthe vehicle without load impacts is possible when the vehicle drivesover the paved surface 1.

The installed position of the concrete block 4 of FIG. 5 illustratesthat the upper surface area 10 and the lower surface area 12 in eachcase, via a radial arc R and a cross member region 15 adjoining theradial arc R, adjoin the respective side surface 16, 17 of the block 4.The upper surface area 10 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of thepavement 18, the contour apex K of the radial arc contour 13 extendingbelow the pavement plane 18, so that, with this construction, an overalllargely protected edge zone is formed in the radial area 20 or a width21 of the cross member region 15 between the respective concrete blocks4 and the pavement 18.

In the region of the lower surface area 12, the profiled shape region Pis disposed at a distance 22 from the inner side surface 16 of the block4 in such a manner, that a defined force introducing area is formed inthe region of the profiled shape P for the rolling wheel 14 and, withthat, the region close to the sealedjoint 23, which is in danger ofbreaking, is protected so that chipping of the concrete material anddamage to a seal 24, which is disposed within the sealed joint 23, areadequately reliably avoided.

The above-described roll profiling of the concrete block 4 enables anoverall tilting moment-free transition of the wheel 14 from the regionof the pavement 18 having an installed height H′ into the region of thehexagonal block 2, on which, after a transition region 25, a wheel 14can roll on an inclined shape 26.

In FIGS. 6 to 9, the concrete block 4′ is shown in a second embodiment.The inlet box 7 has a box shape 30 and is integrated into this block. Acontour of the box shape 30 at an upper side is adapted largely to thepreviously described roll profile of the concrete block 4′. In anadvantageous construction, the liquid-guiding gutter, which isconstructed as an inlet groove 32, 33, is molded in the support surfacecontour 5 of the concrete block 4′, the inlet groove 33 extendingperpendicularly to the plane of the drawing, while the inlet groove 32,starting from the region of the cross member 15 at the side edge 16,extends up to the respective inlet box shape 30 and here discharges intothe passage opening 35 at an upper side edge region 36.

With this simple structural measure, liquid, such as surface water,diesel fuel, gasoline, etc., which is in a gutter region 34 of thesealed joint 23, is guided in such a manner, that an overflow to thesupport surface 5 of the concrete blocks 4,4′ or the hexagonal blocks 2is avoided and permanent discharge of the liquid into the inlet box 30is achieved. In FIGS. 7 to 9, further embodiments of the inlet grooves32 and 33 are illustrated, with which fluids that have leaked,particularly diesel fuel, are passed into a collecting container and/orseparator 37, particularly in an area of a paved surface of gas stationsas shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

In FIG. 10, the concrete block 4′ is illustrated in plan view, thesupport surface 5 of which is provided with three inlet grooves 32, 32′,and 32″, which extend in a direction of the roll profiling and act asliquid-guiding gutters. In addition, two inlet grooves 33, which aredirected to a passage opening 35, are provided as a liquid troughtransversely to the ramp profiling of the concrete block 4′.

The representation of FIG. 11 illustrates a concrete element 50 which isconstructed as a concrete block with an inlet box and the joint 23 ofwhich, which is closed off with the seal 24, in each case dischargesinto a groove region 51 forming a liquid-guiding gutter in such amanner, that liquids, guided over sealed joints 52 can reach the inletbox 7 over a short path and without further distribution on the supportsurface 5′ of the concrete form element 50. With that, the supportsurface 5′ at all times has a coating-free dry condition.

In FIGS. 12 to 14, concrete blocks 4″ are illustrated in the position inwhich they are laid and are provided in each case with cross memberregions 15′, the contour of which is adapted to the respective rollprofiling 13 in the region of the support surface 5 in such a mannerthat, for the prescribed drainage of liquid from the paved surface 1,optimally short duct systems to the respective inlet shafts 35 can beformed. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the cross member region 15′ isprovided with an inclined region 55, which leads from the gutter region34 to a groove shape 56, provided in a middle trough region of the rollprofiling. On the other hand, a slope or arched contour region 57 of thecross member region 15′ close to the side surface 17 discharges intothis roll profiling. With this, an effective contour, which makes itpossible to guide liquid optimally without disadvantageous collectingand backing-up spaces, is provided in the laid position for the wholecross member region 15′. Likewise, it is conceivable to form anintentional back-up space with the respective region of the cross memberregion 15′ in the trough region of the roll profiling 13 as shown inFIG. 13.

In the representations of FIGS. 13 and 14, the cross member regions 15′are shown with different cross member heights 58, particularly in theregion of the liquid-guiding gutter of the roll profiling. With thiscross member height 58, which can be molded specifically by the way inwhich the concrete blocks are laid, the liquid-guiding gutter can bealigned by arranging such concrete blocks 4″ side by side in aninstalled position extending perpendicular to the plane of the figure insuch a manner that, in addition to the respective gutter region 34, thepassage of liquid by the shortest path is possible and, with that,diesel fuel, which may leak out in the area of a gas station while atank is being filled, is discharged from the support surface 5 with theleast possible residence time and taken to the inlet box 7 and, withthat, the disadvantageous penetration of the concrete surface structureis avoided.

The heights 58 or 60 and 61 of FIGS. 12 to 14 of the cross member 15′,as peripheral molded region of the concrete block 4″, can be dimensionedat a different distance from the support surface 5, so that, in regionsof high load (for example, point K, point P), the joint region isprotected particularly well.

The concrete block 4, 4′, and 4″ can be fixed in its installed positionadditionally by a screw connection and/or a dowel connection, thisconnection being provided below the region of the pavement 18 and/or theconnecting surface formed, for example, by hexagonal blocks 2. Withthese connections, formed by supporting parts (not shown), movement ofthe concrete blocks, which could affect the tightness of the joints, isavoided and the reliability of the whole paved surface is ensured to bestable for a long time.

Referring to FIGS. 15 through 19, a paved surface formed of thehexagonal blocks 2, is illustrated, the paved surface being providedwith an edge enclosure forming a shoulder 103. This shoulder 103 hasseveral, essentially cuboid concrete blocks 104, which are arranged sideby side and, in the form of a double ramp-shaped gutter block, areprovided with a support surface with two partial surfaces 105, 105′forming a trough contour as shown in FIG. 19.

The detailed representations of the gutter block 104 of FIGS. 18 and 19illustrate a construction which is symmetrical to a vertical centralplane M and forms a central liquid-guiding gutter 112′, which extendsalong the vertical central plane M between adjacent lower surfacedepressions 112, shown in FIG. 22, of the two adjacent, ramp-shaped partsupport surfaces 105, 105′. The apical surface regions K, K′, formed byan elevation, and the surface depressions 19 along the edge can be seenin respective upper surface area 110 shown in FIGS. 20 to 22. Likewise,it is conceivable to provide the liquid-guiding gutter 112′ in anasymmetrical construction (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the gutter block 104 has a rectangularoutline contour and transverse side surfaces 116, 116′, which are placedtransversely to the direction of the liquid-guiding gutter 112′, thetransverse guiding surfaces 116, 116′ being provided with tongue andgroove profiling. A groove part 70 and a tongue part 71 are provided ateach of the transverse side surfaces 116, 116′. They extendperpendicularly and in parallel in the respective transverse sidesurfaces 116, 116′, opposite which the, in each case, similarly shapedtongue and groove parts 70, 71 are disposed diagonally offset to oneanother as shown in FIG. 18.

In FIGS. 23 to 28, different embodiments of the gutter block are shown,the latter being constructed as a rectangular block 104 shown in FIG.23, a trapezoidal block 104″ shown in FIGS. 25 to 28, or as a cornerblock 140′ shown in FIG. 24. With these different gutter blocks, a kitis created, which can be used in various ways and with which contourswith different arc radii, such as shown in FIGS. 29, 30 and 32, ordifferent corner formations as shown in FIG. 31 for pavements, can belaid. This part of the pavement, together with the hexagonal blocks 2forms, for example, the closed paved surface 1 of FIG. 15, so that theliquid-guiding gutter 112′ extends in this paved surface 1 and, withthat, surface drainage can be achieved.

In an appropriate embodiment, in the region of at least one of itstransverse side surfaces 116, 116′ and/or its longitudinal side surfaces(not shown), the trapezoidal gutter block 104″ shown in FIGS. 25 to 28is provided with an angle T, T′, deviating from 90°, to the respectiveadjoining side surface 117 or 117′, this angle T, T′ in each case havinga magnitude of 1° to 10° and preferably of 5°. In the case of the cornerblock 104′ of FIG. 24, the liquid-guiding gutter 112′ proceeds over thecorner region between the adjacent side surfaces 116, 117, thesesurfaces enclosing an angle preferably of 90°. Likewise, it isconceivable to provide only one of the side surfaces with theabove-described inclinations T, T′, so that an outline, similar to thatof the laying examples of FIGS. 29 to 32, can be achieved, when thepaved surface is laid appropriately.

The concrete blocks 104, 104′, 104″ have support surfaces 105, 105′shown in FIG. 22, which are shaped in the form of a ramp and in whichthe liquid-guiding gutter 112′ can be provided in such a manner, thatthese blocks 104, 104′, 104″ make it possible to lay gutter blocks in aknown manner, for example, for a rainwater gutter. In an improved andload-optimized shape, the inventive liquid-guiding gutter 112′ isprofiled in each of its embodiments in cross section in such a manner,that the support surface or surfaces 105, 105′ in highly stressedpavements can absorb pressures when wheels roll over the blocks in anystressing direction and at any stressing point 20, so that the highstability requirements of a paved surface system, which is imperviousfor a long time, are fulfilled.

In an advantageous development, the known liquid-guiding gutter 112′ isan integral component of the roll profiling and has at least oneadditional groove-shaped collecting gutter 72, the width and depthdimensions of which are such, that optimum drainage properties areattained on the support surface 105, 105′ without affecting the strengthvalues of the block. In FIGS. 16 and 17, a height E in the upper surfaceregion 110 and a height E′ in the region of the collecting gutter 72 areshown, these dimensions, which determine the strength, being defined insuch a manner in relationship to one another that, in view of theoverall strength of the concrete block, stress concentrations or notcheffects are excluded in the region of the collecting gutter 72 and, evenwhen the compressive stresses on the support surface 105, 105′ are at amaximum, breakage of the block is avoided.

In the embodiments of the blocks 104, 104′, 104″ shown, thegroove-shaped collecting gutter 72 in each case extends in thelongitudinal direction of the liquid-guiding gutter 112′. It is alsoconceivable to provide adjacent collecting gutters 72′, shown in FIGS.22 to 44 by a dashed line, transversely to the liquid-guiding gutter112′. These transverse collecting gutters 72′ extend as openings in thelower apical surface region P to the respective sealed gutter 34 of FIG.5 or to the main collecting gutter 72FIGS. 43 and 44. The apical surfaceregion P can be disposed at different distances Q, Q′ from the middlelongitudinal plane M, so that additional collecting gutters 72″,corresponding essentially to the guiding gutter 12′ of FIG. 12, areacting at the gutter block 104. In the construction of FIG. 41, anapical surface region P′″ is provided in an inclined shape S withoutformation of a collecting gutter.

The perspective representation of FIG. 15 in conjunction with FIG. 1illustrates the installed position of the concrete blocks 104, withtheir side surfaces 116, 117 adjoining a sealant 24 covering these sidesurfaces 116, 117 and a joint 123 with the adjacent block 2 fluid tight.Over an appropriate filling height or the respective distance from thesupport surface 105, 105′, this sealant 24 defines a drainage ductsystem interacting with the surface depression 19 or U, theliquid-guiding gutter 112′ and/or the collecting gutter 72, 72′ betweenthe respective concrete blocks 2, 104, 104′, 104″, so that the pavement1 experiences permanent drainage and, even when there is a closesequence of vehicle loads or rolling processes, any unintentionalentrainment of liquid residues, fuel portions and similar impurities islargely prevented, since even the very smallest liquid streams can beguided to the inlet box 7 with the passage opening 35 as shown in FIG.15.

In FIG. 33, the concrete block 104 is shown with an integrated inlet box7. In the region of the liquid-guiding gutter 112′, a trough shape 74with roll profiling, expanding in the longitudinal direction up to theinlet box 7, becomes clear. In this expanded trough shape 74, thecollecting trough 72 is also provided and extends to the inlet box 7with a slope (not shown), so that an improved guidance of liquid isattained. The expanded construction of the liquid-guiding gutter 112′ inthe vicinity of the inlet box 7 or in the passage opening 35 enableseven larger amounts of liquid to be accommodated without hindrance andpassed into the sewage system below the inlet box 7. In an appropriateconstruction, the inlet box 7 is covered with a grating 73, the upperside of which has a cross-sectional contour with roll profiling adaptedto the support surface 105 of the concrete block 104, so that the block104 with the inlet box 7 can be integrated in largely any position inthe kit system.

In FIG. 35, a concrete block 304, which is in the form of a double rampblock 80 and provided to complete the kit, is illustrateddiagrammatically in a perspective representation. The concrete block 304is constructed with a common upper surface area 110′, which extends in aregion of a central longitudinal plane M of the concrete block 304 andat which the middle and lower surface regions 111, 112, shaped inaccordance with the above-described roll profiling, adjoin and changeover at the edges in each case into the surface depressions (not shown),which are provided for edge protection.

In FIGS. 36 and 37, the concrete block 304 is shown in two furtherembodiments, which have support surfaces 105, which are formed with aslope in the longitudinal direction and form at one end a step-freehorizontal surface region 75 in the longitudinal direction of the block.A plan view of the installed position of the concrete block 304 with thehorizontal surface 75 is illustrated in FIG. 34. On the one hand, astepless corner formation is attained to an adjoining pavement surface76 by means of this special surface form, on the other, the horizontalsurface 75 extends in the same plane as the upper surface region 110 ofthe adjoining edge border blocks 104. Likewise, it is conceivable toshape the horizontal surface region 75 so that this region 75 extends inthe same plane as the lower surface region 112 of an adjoining block(not shown).

In FIGS. 38 to 40, further concrete blocks are illustrateddiagrammatically and, with essentially identical length and widthdimensions as well as the height difference from HI to H2, illustratethe advantageous block forms for the kit. The block shown in FIG. 39, isprovided in the region of its ramp-shaped support surface with upper andmiddle surface regions 110, 111, which form a corner angle 77, 77′ ofpreferably 90°, so that, as in FIG. 31, it is possible to lay the blocksof the kit with a corner configuration having the roll profile.

In FIGS. 45 to 47, a ramp block 404, starting out from the one-pieceembodiment of FIG. 45, is shown in a two-part construction with theparts 404.1 and 404.2, which can be laid individually. These part blocks404.1 and 404.2 make possible the above-described construction of thesurface contour of the liquid-guiding system, the action of therespective block contours being similar to those of FIGS. 12 to 14, fordraining surfaces with a flow direction F.

Advantageously, these partial blocks 404.1 and 404.2 can be used onsubsoils, which are unstable and still carry out slight settlingmotions. This is possible, for example, in the area of covered garbagedump surfaces or the like. In this case, the joint 23, closed off withsealant, forms protection against surface water as well as againstrising liquids and the elasticity of the sealant 24 can also compensatefor the movements of the unstable subsoil, so that the sealing of thepaved surface 1, protected against breakage of gutter blocks and/or rampblocks, is stabilized with the blocks 404, 404.1 and 404.2 for aprolonged period and the paved surface 1 withstands stresses and can bedriven over in any direction.

What is claimed is:
 1. A construction block comprising: a block havingas a top surface a contoured support surface, and first and second sidesurfaces opposing one another; said contoured support surface having anupper surface region, a central surface region which is inclinedrelative to horizontal to form a ramp, and a lower surface region; afirst apical portion at a junction of said upper surface region and saidcentral surface region, said first apical portion being disposed higherthan remainders of said upper surface region and said central surfaceregion; said upper surface region having at least an upper regiondepressed portion extending substantially horizontally flat from saidfirst apical portion toward said first side surface; and said lowersurface region having a gutter portion juxtaposed to said centralsurface region at a first side thereof and extending to and joining alower region depressed portion via a second apical portion, apical withrespect to at least said lower region depressed portion, said lowerregion depressed portion extending substantially horizontally flat fromthan said second apical portion toward said second side surface andbeing lower than said second apical portion.
 2. The construction blockaccording to claim 1 wherein said central surface region and said gutterportion have an inclined S-shaped configuration with said centralsurface region being convex and said gutter part being concave.
 3. Theconstruction block according to claim 1 wherein said central surfaceregion includes a central region convex surface juxtaposed to said firstapical portion, the highest elevation of said central region convexsurface being substantially at the same elevation as said first apicalportion.
 4. The construction block according to claim 1 wherein saidsecond apical portion has a convex surface.
 5. The construction blockaccording to claim 1 wherein said central surface region is a generallyconvex surface and said gutter portion is a generally concave surface,said concave surface being joined to said convex surface at a point ofinflection, said point of inflection being spaced from said first andsecond apical portions.
 6. The construction block according to claim 1further comprising: a first rounded corner between said upper surfaceregion and said first side surface; and a second rounded corner betweensaid lower region depressed portion and said second side surface.
 7. Theconstruction block according to claim 1 wherein further comprising aninlet drainage box disposed in said block and said block defining apassage opening in communication with said inlet drainage box fordraining liquid therefrom.
 8. The construction block according to claim7 further comprising a grating disposed over said inlet drainage box,said grating having a contour conforming to at least a portion of saidgutter portion.